Rain and clouds hung over Whanganui early afternoon on Sunday as residents awaited the impact of the Cyclone Vaianu weather system. Photo / Erin Smith
Civil Defence and other agencies across the Manawatū-Whanganui region are keeping a close eye on the Cyclone Vaianu weather system as it moves down the North Island.
“This is a fast-moving weather event with multiple weather watches and warnings across our region,” Manawatū-Whanganui Emergency Management Group said in an update about 1pm on Sunday.
“We expect the cyclone, together with the worst of the weather, to pass over our region late afternoon into early evening.”
Strong winds which change direction and heavy localised downpours that may cause surface flooding were the main hazards expected, with localised surface flooding likely in Rangitīkei and Taumarunui.
“Agencies across the region are well prepared and are co-ordinating their response, with staff in the Group Emergency Co-ordination Centre rostered on for the next 24 hours including overnight.
“Horizons Regional Council river management staff are on standby monitoring river levels and flood assets.”
There were no declarations of emergency in the region as at 1pm. Regional and local states of emergency have been declared in some other regions.
A strong wind watch is in place for Whanganui from 6pm Sunday to 1am Monday. Strong southeasterlies are forecast to change to gale southwesterlies on Sunday afternoon and evening. Southwesterlies may approach severe gales in exposed places.
North Rangitīkei and South Ruapehu (from Waimarino National Park down and Mangaweka up) have a strong wind warning from 9am Sunday to 5am Monday. Severe gale easterlies will change to severe gale northwesterlies Sunday afternoon or evening, gusting to 130km/h in exposed places. There is a moderate chance of upgrading to a red warning.
Taumarunui (from Waimarino National Park up) has a strong wind warning from 9am Sunday until 3am Monday. Severe gale easterlies changing to severe gale westerlies are forecast for late Sunday afternoon or evening, gusting 120km/h in exposed places.
There is a strong wind watch for Manawatū from 11am Sunday until 6am Monday.
Civil Defence urged people to follow its safety and health instructions:
At midday on Sunday, in preparation for the worst of the weather, Taihape’s Winiata Marae opened to give emergency support and shelter to whānau, community and travellers.
The marae is at 8197 State Highway 1, 2km south of Taihape.
Early on Sunday afternoon, when there was some rain but little wind, keen anglers were at Whanganui’s North Mole taking advantage of the weather conditions.
Castlecliff resident Jesse Johnson was fishing with friends and said he was not concerned about the incoming weather.
“We get bad weather all the time, so just be careful,” he said.
“It’s nice so far.”
A group of fishermen lined the North Mole parking lot and stone walkway.
Johnson said they were taking advantage of the change in weather bringing more fish.
“The fishing’s better when the pressure changes, so it’s worth it,” he said.
When he first checked the conditions at 11am, “there was heaps of fish jumping”.
Though he was comfortable fishing onshore, he said he would not have ventured out by boat.
“If you were going to go out there, you’d [have to] be careful.”
Johnson said he took some precautions at his house, tidying outside ahead of the high winds.
“I think it’s pretty safe.”